The Poisonous Effects of the Three Poisons: Greed, Hatred, and Delusion (Part 1)

If one fails to effectively subdue the afflictions of greed, hatred, and ignorance during spiritual practice, the mind cannot become tamed and pliable. When afflictive hindrances are severe, they obstruct the healthy development of one's body and mind. Individuals burdened by heavy afflictive hindrances, on one hand, cause distress and displeasure to others, inevitably forging negative karmic connections and resentment between both parties. In future lives, they themselves will suffer the karmic retribution of these afflictions, and the experience of suffering is unavoidable. On the other hand, the greatest harm is inflicted upon oneself; the one who suffers the most anguish is oneself. When afflictions become severe, one's inner self experiences suffering and agitation, and the body and mind become disturbed as a result. One becomes the most unhappy person. If the other party possesses cultivation, they might not be troubled by the affliction; even if they experience suffering, it may pass quickly. However, you yourself will continuously suffer the assault of afflictive hindrances, and sorrow, grief, and distress will constantly arise in your mind.

Learning Buddhism and subduing afflictions enables us to benefit across lifetimes, bringing mental joy and ease. By subduing afflictions and refraining from harming or troubling others, one ceases to deplete one's own merit and virtue and avoids creating negative karmic ties with others. If one can constantly consider others and bring benefit to them everywhere, one's accumulation of merit and virtue will increase rapidly, and the greatest beneficiary is still oneself. Therefore, it is essential to subdue afflictive hindrances.

When afflictive hindrances are heavy and the mind is impure, what kind of poisoning harm does one's own body and mind suffer? The afflictions of greed, hatred, and ignorance are commonly called the Three Poisons. Why is it called poison? Since it is called poison, it naturally possesses harmfulness and toxicity. Harming others is secondary; the one most harmed is oneself. When greed, hatred, and ignorance reside within the mind, actions of body, speech, and mind inevitably create unwholesome karmas of greed, hatred, and ignorance. Creating unwholesome karmas inevitably incurs negative karmic retribution; this is the poisonous effect of greed, hatred, and ignorance.

Furthermore, when afflictive hindrances are heavy and hatred arises, the physical body is inevitably affected. When the physical body is affected, the organizational structure of the four elemental components within the body consequently undergoes changes: the speed of blood flow alters, the composition of the blood changes, toxins are generated within the body, and these toxins directly harm physical health. The most obvious example is when we give rise to anger: our facial expression changes instantly, becoming flushed, red, purple, and dark. Why purple and dark? Toxic substances are often purplish-black. When the composition of the blood changes, the skin's color noticeably turns purplish-black, and the altered blood components have a severely toxic effect on one's own body. When the blood contains toxins, blood flow becomes obstructed, the function of the heart is impeded, and the toxins in the blood can severely damage the physical body, leading to illness. Individuals with heavy afflictions and hatred have a higher probability of developing heart disease and are more prone to illnesses related to the blood.

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